This New SBS Fantasy Romance Is Rewriting the Nine-Tailed Fox Rulebook

This Fantasy Romance Isn’t Trying to Be Familiar

The first official poster dropped — and fans immediately knew this wasn’t another “we’ve seen this before” fantasy romance. Starting From Today I’m Human doesn’t ease you in. It challenges expectations right from the first image, and that’s exactly why people are paying attention.

In a genre crowded with fate, sacrifice, and destined love, this drama asks a quieter but more interesting question: what if the supernatural lead doesn’t actually want to become human? That shift alone changes everything.

The Poster Moment That Has Fans Talking

There’s something about the first official poster that tells you what kind of story you’re about to get. This week, SBS released the main poster for Starting From Today I’m Human, and it instantly clicked with viewers.

The image shows Kim Hye-yoon’s character Eun-ho stepping out of what looks like a classical East Asian painting. Multiple fox tails trail behind her, and a glowing mystical pearl forms in her hand. It’s visually striking — but more than that, it feels intentional. It captures a sense of mystery and self-possession that fantasy romance has been missing for a while.

A Nine-Tailed Fox Rewritten for Gen-Z

The nine-tailed fox isn’t new territory in K-dramas — but Eun-ho is. She’s Gen-Z, confident, and completely uninterested in becoming human. She’s thriving exactly as she is, living comfortably as a supernatural being in the modern world.

That perspective flips the usual narrative on its head. Instead of longing for humanity, Eun-ho questions why she should give up a life she actually enjoys. It’s a subtle but powerful shift that instantly makes the character feel more current.

This kind of reimagining forces audiences to rethink an archetype they thought they already understood.

Kim Hye-yoon took on this role after her previous success in fantasy-leaning projects, and she’s shared that the Gen-Z nine-tailed fox concept immediately stood out to her. This isn’t just a supernatural story — it’s a character story about perspective, choice, and identity.

The Dynamic That’s Already Pulling Fans In

Opposite Eun-ho is Kang Si-yeol, played by Lomon. He’s a world-class soccer star — arrogant, highly skilled, and living what looks like a flawless life. But beneath that confidence is someone just as isolated as Eun-ho, even if he’d never admit it.

The poster’s tagline captures Eun-ho’s energy perfectly: “With this face and this charm, of course you’d fall for me. I’m a nine-tailed fox.” It’s playful, bold, and immediately establishes her as someone who owns her power.

According to Lomon, the appeal of the drama lies in watching two people who constantly clash slowly grow into each other’s lives. It’s not about dramatic declarations. It’s about small shifts, shared moments, and healing that happens almost without noticing.

The Buzz Is Already Building

Even before its premiere, Starting From Today I’m Human has shown real momentum. It ranked in the top 10 TV dramas for multiple consecutive weeks in audience interest rankings, signaling that curiosity around the show isn’t casual — it’s sustained.

The creative team’s background in blending cinematic visuals with grounded emotion shows in every design choice. This drama isn’t aiming for overly cute fantasy or heavy melodrama. It’s targeting the space in between — and that balance feels intentional.

What Fans Are Actually Waiting For

When the drama premieres on January 16 at 9:50 PM KST, viewers won’t just be tuning in for fox mythology or romance tropes. They’ll be watching to see whether this reimagining truly lands.

The real appeal isn’t spectacle — it’s connection. Taking a familiar concept and asking, “What if we approached this differently?” is a creative risk. But when it works, it creates the kind of story that lingers.

This drama doesn’t feel like it’s trying to impress. It feels like it’s trying to say something. And sometimes, that’s exactly what makes a fantasy romance hit harder than expected.